Bishop of Shrewsbury blesses new Marian shrine

The shrine is designed to recall a particular Marian devotion held by the people of Shrewsbury before the Reformation

The Bishop of Shrewsbury has blessed a new shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Pity within the grounds of his cathedral.

The shrine is designed to recall a particular Marian devotion held by the people of Shrewsbury before the Reformation and will be “a new place where we seek Our Lady’s help in all our need and join with her in continuous prayer as the Church has always done since the beginning,” Bishop Mark Davies said.

Addressing local dignitaries – including the mayor of Shrewsbury and the lord lieutenant of Shropshire – the bishop said: “It is to Mary, ever-faithful, that I will entrust each one of you and all who will be called to continue in the priesthood – a life and ministry for the joy of all Christ’s faithful people.”

Bishop Davies also blessed the new entrance to the cathedral, which was renovated as part a series of restorations that also include a new light shining on the central tabernacle, illuminating it for people to see from the street.

The bishop told the guests he hoped “the new entrance and developments will serve to make this sacred building more accessible to everyone and allow this Cathedral Church to continue to be a beacon in this new century”.

“What matters is whether the community and the very stones assembled here will serve Christ’s plan and purpose,” he said.

“We pray that this much-loved building will announce to generations still to come that vision of the new and everlasting Jerusalem where the true temple is the Lord God, the Almighty, and Jesus the Lamb of God at its centre.”